Cotton-chopper.



No. 764,365, PATENTED JULY 5, 1904.

. c. G. MERGER.

COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLIGATION FILED ran. 2.1904.

110 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 764,365. PATBNTED JULY 5, 1904. G. G. MERGER.

COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLIOATION rum) FEB. 22. 1904.

N0 MODEL. 2 BHEETS-Q-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

CHARLES G. MERCER, OF EUFAULA, ALABAMA COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,365, dated July 5,1904.

Appli ti n ed February 2, 1904- Serial No. 191,717. (No model.)

To 00M whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLns Gr. Mnuonn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Eufaula, in the county of Barbour and State of Alabama, haveinvented new and useful Irn provements in Cotton-Choppers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to cotton-choppers.

The invention aims to provide a cottonchopper with new and novel. meanshereinafter more specifically referred to which will admit of thechopping mechanism being raised and lowered at the will of the driverwithout requiring dismounting or the stopping of the machine, with meansfor throwing the chopping mechanism into and out of operation, withmeans to prevent the breaking off and .to permit of the passage of thechoppers or knives when meeting an obstruction, with means for elevatingthe chopping mechanism by the foot of the driver, said means operableindependently of the elevating and lowering means hereinbefore referredto, and with means to permit of turning the machine in any direction.

A further object of the invention is to devise a novel formation offramework, mount- 1 ing, and connections'for the operating parts,

whereby the machine in its general construction occupies a'minimumamount of space and enables the least amount of material to enter intoits formation consistent with strength and durability essential to theeffectiveness and long life of the machine.

The invention further aims to construct a cotton-chopper which shall besimple in its construction, strong, durable, eflicient in its use, andcomparatively inexpensive to set up.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists ofthe novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morespecifically described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

.In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, whereinlike characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, and in which Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation ofthe machine. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan. Fig. 3 is a detail view of thechoppers, showing in dotted lines the action of the connecting meanstherefor; and Fig. 4; is a detail showing the ratchet connection betweenthe wheels and the axle.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the main frame of themachine is constructed of an angle-iron 1, bent substantially yoke shapeand having a transverselyextending flat brace-bar 2 connected to the topthereof by the fastening means 3. The shafts of the machine, (indicatedby the reference character 4,) are secured upon the top of the mainframe by the fastening means 5. A clevis 6 is secured to the front ofthe main frame,and said clevis carries the swi nglctree 7. The machineis provided with a rotatable axle 8, carrying a pair of wheels 9, theperipheries of which are provided with uotuberances 10, which extendpartly across the periphery of the wheels in opposite directions. Themain frame of the machine is connected at its ends to the axle 8 throughthe medium of the bearingsockets 11, said sockets being secured to theunderneath face of the main frame through the medium of the hold-fastdevices 12.

The machine is provided with an auxiliary frame which carries thechopper mechanism, said frame being constructed of a continuous bar ofsuitable material and is formed with the sides 13 14 and the ends 15 16.Each of the sides 13 14. is provided with an opening to permit ofmounting the auxiliary frame upon the axle 8, so that said frame canrock upon the axle. The auxiliary frame is also provided with atransverse]y-extend ing bracebar 17.

The chopper mechanism consists of a pair of choppers or cutters 18 19,which at their forward ends extend toward each other at an inclination,and each of said cutters consists of a flat strip of suitable materialhaving the npper'face slightly inclined from one side to the other sidethereof and cutting edges formed at the ends and one side. mounted sothat the inner portion of one cutter will be in alinement with the innerportion of the other cutter. The cutters are ar- The cutters are IOOranged a suitable distance from each other and so that they will extendin an opposite direction with respect to each other, thereby causing thecutting edges to travel in the same path when the cutters are operated.For convenience of description the short cutting edge of each of thecutters is termed the end and the elongated cutting edge the sidethereof. Each of the cutters 18 19 has secured to the inner face, nearthe top thereof, a shank 20. The inner ends of the shanks 20 arepivotally connected in the keepers 21, which are fixed to a hub 21,secured on the forward end of the operating-shaft 22. The shank 20 ofthe cutter 18 is pivoted in its keeper 21 in such a manner that it canbe swung or moved in an opposite direction to that of the shank 20 ofthe cutter 19, and the keepers 21 are so constructed that they will onlypermit the shifting of the shanks 20 upon their pivots in one directionfrom their normal position.

The reference character 23 denotes. a pair of coiledsprings which areconnected at one end to the shanks 20 and at their other end with thehub 21. The function of the springs 23 is to return the cutters to theirnormal position after said cutters have been moved on their pivots fromoperative position, such movement being caused by the cutters meeting anobstruction, said obstruction moving the cutters on their pivots, andwhen the cutters have passed the obstruction the springs cause thecutters to assume their normal position.

The cutters 18 19 are arranged upon the forward end of theoperating-shaft 22 and at the front of the auxiliary frame. The shaft 22is supported at its forward end in the front end 15 of the auxiliaryframe and at its rear end in the transversely-extending brace-bar 17.Bearing and retaining collars are provided for the shaft 22, as at 2425.

The operating mechanism for the cutters operating-shaft 22 consists of abevel-pinion 26, carried on the rear end of the shaft 22, and whichmeshes with a bevel-gear 27, mounted upon the axle 8 and which isprovided with a clutch-sleeve 28, adapted to be engaged by theclutch-collar 29, so-said gear will be connected with the axle 8 androtated thereby. The collar 29 slides upon the axle 8, but rotatestherewith and is operated through the medium of a shifting lever 30,pivoted at its forward end to the auxiliary frame and adapted to beseated at its rear end in the notches 31 32 in the end 16 of theauxiliary frame. hen the lever 30 is seated in either the notch 31 or32, the collar 29 is prevented from movement. The

notch 31 is provided for the lever 30 when the collar 29 is out ofengagement with the sleeve 28, and the notch 32 is provided for thelever 30 when the collar 29 is in engagement with The bevel-gear 27 isprevented the sleeve 28.

from meshing too deep with the pinion 26 through the medium of thesleeve 33.

The mechanism for elevating and lowering the auxiliary frame, causingthereby the elevating and lowering of the chopper mechanism, consists ofan operating-lever 34'; pivotally supported at its lower end, as at 35,upon the brace-bar 2. The lever 34 at its lower end is provided with anextension 36, projecting at right angles to said lever and which haspivotally connected to its outer end a clownwardly-extendinglink 37,having an elongated slot 39 in its lower end. The link 37 is connectedto the auxiliary frame through the medium of a headed stud 38, securedto the side 13 of said frame. The operating-lever 34 is provided with apawl-and-ratehet mechanism 40, whereby the said operating-lever is heldat the desired adjustment, as well as the chopper mechanism; Theelongated slot 39 and the link 37 are provided to permit of theelevation when occasion requires of the chopper mechanism independent ofthe operating-lever 34, and the means for obtaining this functionconsists of a foot-lever 41, which is carried by an arm 41, pivoted in apair of studs 41 secured to the underneath face of the brace-bar 2. Thelever 41 extends forwardly and rearwardly of the bar 2, so that the rearend of said lever '41 can be engaged and depressed by the foot of thedriver, causing thereby the forward end of said lever to engage the stud38 and elevate the chopper mechanism independently of the lever 34. Thisoperation is evident owing to the employment of the elongated slot 39 inthe link 37 A standard 42 is secured to-the brace-bar 2, and upon theupper end of said standard is secured the seat 43, and retaining-collars44 are mounted upon the axle 8 for preventing movement in eitherdirection of the auxiliary frame. The collars 44 are interposed betweenthe auxiliary frame and the bearing-sockets 11. At one side of each ofthe bearing-sockets 11 a disk 45 is mounted upon the axle and whichcarries a pawl 46, adapted to engage with the teeth 47 formed on theinner face'of a circular band 48 integral with the hub of its respectivewheel 9. By such an arrangement it will permit of back movement inrelation to the axle, so that the machine can turn in any direction.

From the foregoing construction of cottonchopper it is evident that amachine is devised by which the chopper mechanism can be raised byeither the foot or hand operated lever when occasion requires, andconsequently the depth of the out can be regulated, and that the choppermechanism can be lifted above any ordinary obstruction, as well as inthe event of a thin stand of cotton, so that the same will not be cut,but immediately upon passing the same the chopper mechanism can bedropped. It will also be evident that a chopper mechanism is set forthhaving its cutters set at such an angle so as to cut the surface of theground evenlyafter allowing for the depression of the wheels and theelevation of the cotton when barred off. It will also be evident that bymeans of the clutch the chopper mechanism can be thrown into and out ofoperation, and it will furthermore be evident that by Q means of thehand-operated lever the chopper mechanism can be lifted to a level withthe main frame, so as to permit of easy or safe travel on rough roads.It will furthermore be evident that the cutters are so connected totheir operating-shaft that in the event of meeting any unusualobstruction the danger of breaking off of the cutters or other parts ofthe machine is obviated. It will furthermore be evident that by changingthe gear and the adjustment of the cutters any desired speed can beobtained and any desired space can be cut and any desired space ofcotton can be left in the row.

It is thought that the many advantages of a cotton-chopperconstructed-in accordance with the foregoing description, taken inconnection with the accompanyingdrawings, can be readily understood, andit will furthermore be evident that changes, variations, andmodifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit of myinvention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do notwish to restrict myself to the details of construction hereinbeforedescribed, and set forth in the accompanying drawings, but reserve theright to make such changes, variations, and modifications as comeproperly within the scope of the protection prayed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cotton-chopper, cutters, operating means therefor, a spring anda pivotal connection between said cutters and said operating means, aprimary elevating and lowering means for said cutters, and means forelevating said cutters independently of said primary elevating andlowering means.

2. In a cotton-chopper, cutters extending toward each other at aninclination, operating means for said cutters, a spring and pivotalconnection between said cutters and said operating means, a primaryelevating and lowering means for said cutters, and means for elevatingsaid cutters independently of said primary elevating and lowering means.

3. A eotton-chopper comprising cutters, op erating means therefor, arocking frame for supporting said means and cutters, an operating-leverfor elevating and lowering said frame, a slotted link connecting betweensaid frame and said lever, and means independent of said lever andadapted to detachably engage said frame for elevating it independentlyof said lever.

i. A cotton-chopper comprising cutters,

operating means therefor, a rocking frame for supporting said means andcutters, an operatingle\ 'er for elevating and lowering said frame, aslottedlink connection between said frame and said lever, and meansindependent of said lever, and adapted to detaehably engage said framefor elevating it independently of said lever.

5. A cotton-chop iiei' comprising a yokeshaped main frame, an axle,wheels mounted thereon, pruvl-and-ratchet connections between the wheelsand the axle, an auxiliary rocking frame mounted upon the axle, eutters,means supported by the auxiliary frame and adapted to be operated by theaxle and when operated imparting movement to said cutters, saidoperating means for the cutters supporting them, means mounted upon themain frame for elevating and lowering said rocking frame imparting alike movement to said cutters and their operating means, and meanssuspended from said main frame and adapted to detachably engage with andelevate said auxiliary frame independently of the first-mentioned meansfor elevating and lowering said auxiliary frame.

6. A cotton-chopper comprising an auxiliary rocking frame provided witha stud, means for supporting said frame, chopper mechanism supported bysaid frame, a slotted link connected with said stud, means con nectedwith said link for elevating and lowering said frame, and meansdetachably engaging with the said stud for elevating the frameindependently of the means connected with the link.

7. A cotton-chopper comprising a main frame, an axle, wheels mountedthereon, con- I nections between the mam frame and said axle, anauxiliary rocking frame mounted on the axle, rotatable cutters, meanssupported by the auxiliary frame and adapted to be operated by the axleand when operated imparting movement to said cutters, said operatingmeans for the cutters supporting them, means mounted upon the main framefor elevating and lowering said rocking frame imparting a like movementto said cutters and their operating means, and means suspended from saidmain frame and adapted. to elevate said auxiliary- :frame independentlyof the first-mentioned means for elevating and lowering said auxiliaryframe.

8. A cotton-chopper comprising a main frame, an axle, wheels mountedthereon, connections between the main frame and said axle, an auxiliaryrocking frame mounted on the axle, rotatable cutters extending towardeach other at an inclination, means supported by the auxiliary frame andadapted to be operated by'the axle and when operated imparting movementto said cutters, said oper ating means for the cutters supporting them,means mounted upon the main frame for elevating and lowering saidrockingframe imparting a like movement to said cutters and their operatingmeans, and means suspended from said main frame and adapted to elevatesaid auxiliary frame independently of the first-mentioned means forelevating and lowering said auxiliary frame.

9. In a cotton-chopper, the combination with a chopper mechanism, andmeans for supporting it, of an elevating and lowering means for saidsupport, means and chopper mechanism, said elevating and lowering meansconsisting of a lever mechanism comprising a link provided with anelongated slot, said link connected with said supporting means, andmeans engaging with the supporting means for elevating it independentlyof the elevating and lowering means.

10. A cotton-chopper comprising an axle, a main frame suitably connectedtherewith, wheels mounted upon the axle, an auxiliary rocking framemounted upon the axle, rotatable cutters, means supported by theauxiliary frame and adapted to be operated by the axle and when operatedimparting movement to said cutters, said operating means for the cutterssupporting them, a hand-operated lever mechanism mounted upon the mainframe for elevating and lowering said rocking frame imparting a likemovement to said cutters and their operating means, and a foot-leversuspended from said main frame and adapted when operated to elevate saidauxiliary frame independently of the hand-operated lever.

11. A'cotton-chopper comprising an axle, a main frame suitably connectedtherewith, wheels mounted upon the axle, an auxiliary rocking framemounted upon the axle, rotatablecutters, means supported by theauxiliary frame and adapted to be operated by the axle and whenoperated, imparting movement to said cutters, said operating means forthe cutters supporting them, a hand-operated lever mechanism mountedupon the main frame for elevating and lowering said rocking frame,imparting a like movement to said cutters and their operating means, afoot-lever suspended from said main frame and adapted when operated toelevate said auxiliary frame independently of the hand-operated lever,and a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the operatingmeans for the cutters to and from the axle.

12. A cotton-chopper comprising an axle, a main frame suitably connectedtherewith, wheels mounted upon the axle, an auxiliary rocking framemounted upon the axle, rotatable cutters extending toward each other atan inclination, means supported by the auxiliary frame and adapted to beoperated by the axle and when operated, imparting movement to saidcutters, said operating means for the cutters supporting them, ahand-operated lever mechanism mounted upon the main frame for elevatingand lowering said rocking frame, imparting a like movement to saidcutters and their operating means, and a foot-lever suspended from saidmain frame and adapted when operated to elevate said auxiliary frameindependently of the hand-operated lever.

13. A cotton-chopper comprising an axle, a main frame suitably connectedtherewith, wheels mounted upon the axle, an auxiliary rocking framemounted upon the axle, rotatable cutters extending toward each other atan inclination, means supported by the auxiliary frame and adapted to beoperated by the axle and when operated, imparting movement to saidcutters, said operating means for the cutters supporting them, ahand-operated lever mechanism mounted upon the main frame for elevatingand lowering said rocking frame, imparting a like movement to saidcutters and their operating means, a foot-lever suspended from said mainframe and adapted when operated to elevate said auxiliary frameindependently of the hand-operated lever, and a clutch mechanism forconnecting and disconnecting the operating means for the cutters to andfrom the axle.

14. A cotton-chopper comprising a main frame, an axle, wheels mountedthereon. connections between the main frame and said axle, an auxiliaryrocking frame mounted on the axle, rotatable cutters, means supported bythe auxiliary frame and adapted to be operated by the axle and whenoperated imparting movement to said cutters, said operating means forthe cutters supporting them, means mounted upon the main frame forelevating and lowering said rocking frame impartinga like movement tosaid cutters and their operating means, means suspended from said mainframe and adapted to elevate said auxiliary frame independently of thefirst-mentioned means for elevating and lowering said auxiliary frame,and a clutch mechanism for throwing said operating means for the cuttersinto and out of operation.

15. A cotton-chopper comprising a main frame, an axle, wheels mountedthereon, connections between the main frame and said axle, an auxiliaryrocking frame mounted on the axle, rotatable cutters extending towardeach other at an inclination, means supported by the auxiliary frame andadapted to be operated by the axle and when operated imparting movementto said cutters, said operating means for the cutters supporting them,means mounted upon the main frame for elevating and lowering saidrocking frame, imparting a like movement to said cutters and theiroperating means, means suspended from said frame and adapted to elevatesaid auxiliary frame independently of the first-mentioned means forelevating and lowering said auxiliary frame, and a clutch mechanism forthrowing said operating means for the cutters into and out of operation.

16. In a cotton-chopper, shiftable cutters, operating means therefor, apivotal connection between said cutters and said operating means, saidconnection adapted to prevent the shifting of said cutters in onedireetionfrom their normal position, and a spring connection betweensaid cutters and said operating means for returning the cutters to theirnormal position when shifted.

cutters, each provided with a shank, an operating-shaft, a hub carriedon the forward end of said shaft and provided with a plurality ofkeepers adapted to receive said shanks, means for pivotally connectingsaid shanks in the keepers, a spring connected to said shank and saidhub for returning said cuttersto their normal position when shifted uponsaid pivot, and means for operating said shaft.

19. A cotton-chopper comprising shiftable cutters. each provided with ashank, an operating-shaft, a hub carried on the forward end of saidshaft and provided with a plurality of keepers adapted to receive saidshanks and limit the shifting movement thereof in one direction, meansfor pivotally connecting said shanks to the keepers, a spring connectedto each of the shanks and to the hub for returning said cutters to theirnormal position when shifted upon their pivots, and means for operatingsaid shaft.

20. In a cotton-chopper, shiftable cutters, means for suitably operatingsaid cutters, supporting means for the cutters and said operating means,means connected directly with said supporting means for elevating andlowering it, carrying therewith said cutters and operating means, andmeans independent of said supporting and elevating means and adaptedwhen operated to detachably connect with and elevate said supportingmeans independently lowering device connected with and adapted whenoperated to elevate and lower said operating means and cutters, andmeans independent of said operating means, cutters and said device andadapted when operated to elevate the said operating means and cuttersindependent of said device.

22. In a cotton-chopper, shiftable cutters arranged at the forward endthereof andextending at their forward ends toward each other at aninclination, operating means for said cutters, a pivotal connectionbetween said cutters and said operating means, said connection adaptedto prevent the shifting of said cutters in one direction from theirnormal position, and a spring connection between said cutters and saidoperating means for returning the cutters to their normal position whenshifted.

23. In a cotton-chopper, shiftable cutters provided with shanks,operating means for the cutters, a pivot for each of said shanks, andsupporting means for each of the pivots, said supporting means adaptedto engage with the ends of the shanks to arrest the movement of thecutters.

24. In a cotton-chopper, shiftable cutters, operating means therefor, ahand-operated elevating and lowering device connected with and adaptedwhen operated to elevate and lower said operating means and cutters, anda foot-operated means independent of said hand-operated device, cuttersand operating means and adapted when operated to elevate said operatingmeans and cutters independently of said hand-operated device.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

CHARLES Gr. MERGER. Witnesses:

A. M. BROWN, J. H. MULLER.

